NFL: 30 running backs who got better after leaving their first team

Remember the guy I told you about that forced Ahman Green to go to the Green Bay Packers? Ricky Watters is that guy, who before coming to Seattle had multiple stops of his own.

After getting drafted in the second round out of Notre Dame by the San Francisco 49ers, Watters started the year out strong in 1992. He ran for over 1,000 yards and scored nine times to make a Pro Bowl appearance to begin his career. It was the first of five straight Pro Bowls for the former Irish rusher.

Although he had less than 900 yards in the regular season in 1994, Watters was an effective contributor in the 49ers’ playoff run, scoring three total touchdowns (one rushing) in San Francisco’s Super Bowl win over the then-San Diego Chargers. He left the franchise on a high note, joining the Philadelphia Eagles that offseason.

Watters had an even larger role with the Eagles, running the ball over 300 times in his first two years there. His overall numbers grew, including double-digit touchdowns and over 1,400 yards in 1996.

Both seasons were also Pro Bowl campaigns. After another solid season with the Eagles, Watters went to Seattle. It was a new team for him, but he yielded the same results. Watters went for over 1,200 yards rushing each season in his first three years with the Seahawks, performing well even after going over age-30.

He spent just one last season afterward with Seattle in 2001, retiring in 2002 after rushing for over 10,000 yards and scoring a combined 91 times. His consistency despite playing for three different franchises is arguably Watters’ most impressive trait as a professional, in addition to dealing with an annual heavy workload.